Dust control

Dust control products are applied to aggregate (gravel) roadways when the vehicle traffic account exceeds 150 vehicles per day. These products may be applied when there is a residence within 500 feet of these roadways.

Boulder County Road Maintenance uses two different products for Dust Control.

Magnesium Chloride: is an environmentally-friendly dust control and soil stabilization product. It is hygroscopic (attracts moisture) to provide maximum control of dust. After the road has been prepared for a dust control treatment, magnesium chloride is applied. Each year previously treated roads must be retreated with magnesium chloride and as the roads are retreated dust abatement improves. Magnesium chloride is a great intermediate solution to reducing dust on low volume roads.

Lignin Sulfonate: is a water soluble, non-toxic chemical, otherwise known to most people as "tree sap". Lignosulfonates are left over after the pulping process removes the cellulosic material from the wood. They work best in arid regions or regions where there are substantial periods of "drought".

Either one of these products may occasionally be used for base stabilization on some sections of roadway in Boulder County.